Kelsey Cosey

About Kelsey Cosey

I am an African American Studies major with a minor in Digital Media Arts and Creative Writing

Posts by Kelsey Cosey:

A picture of Mt. Vernon in 2024
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Unveiling Hidden Narratives: The Backbones of Mount Vernon’s Legacy

In her review of Scott E. Casper’s book “Sarah Johnson’s Mount Vernon: The Forgotten History of an Ameican Shrine,” Martha S. Jones explores the complex history of Mount Vernon, highlighting the contribution of African Americans, both enslaved and free, who lived and worked there. Casper examines how the site transitioned from a working plantation to a historic site, and how African Americans played crucial roles in that transformation. Casper emphasizes the importance of including the African American perspective in the preservation and interpretation of Mount Vernon’s history, showing how their contribitions have often been overlooked or misrepresented.

 

 

Unveiling Hidden Narratives: The Backbones of Mount Vernon’s Legacy

PART ONE: Casper and others refer to Mount Vernon as a “shrine.” How does such language shape historic preservation and interpretation at the enslaved labor plantation of George Washington?

When people call Mount Vernon a “shrine”, it brings a sense of importance to the masses. This description of Mount Vernon can affect how we as people preserve and interpret the site which gives workers and visitors determination to respect it and keep it in good shape. Focusing on George Washington, in this context the word “shrine” gives a sense of elevation of George Washington’s status and legacy which overshadows the other important aspects of the site’s history, such as the lives and experiences of his slaves. This kind of language can lead to visitors only remembering the good parts of history and ignoring the tough parts like slavery which can trigger/anger marginalized groups who had. When people visit historical sights, they tend to have a sense of respect and reverence, making them more likely to accept the main story that was told by the tourists on the site.

Unveiling Hidden Narratives: The Backbones of Mount Vernon’s Legacy

PART TWO: Despite the prevalence of factual errors, misremembering, and embellishment in oral history, what value does it offer for historic preservation?

 

Oral history, despite its potential inaccuracies, offer value for historic preservation. Oral histories provide personal accounts and experiences that aren’t often captured in written records. These narratives can offer insight into the daily lives, emotions, and social dynamics that official documents might/try to overlook. Revealing cultural practices, traditions, and beliefs that aren’t always documented, oral history can add depth and potential clarity into understanding the past. Combining oral history with written records allows for a more comprehensive view of history. It acknowledges the complexity and multiple perspectives that shape historical events and experiences. Gathering and preserving oral histories can also engage communities in the process of historic preservation, fostering a sense of ownership and connection to their heritage.

An AI generated image of a ethnically diverse group of librarians
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What role do archivists play in preserving, performing, and producing history?

An AI generated image of a ethnically diverse group of librarians

Archivists examine how a document connects to people, how it reflects the values of its historical context, and how its meaning may have changed pver time. Archivists determine to what extent a document enriches the general knowledge of a period in time.Archivists benefit from professional standarts to asses the value of objects.

In her presentation at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conferrence, Samantha Winn argues that archival descriptions can’t be completely objective or neutral. She believes archivists’ personal biases and worldviews prevent total honesty in their work. This assumption can lead to biased and inaccurate representations that continue historical mistakes and marginalization 

Winn states that archivists need to regularly reflect on their biases and stay engaged with scholarly work to address these issues. Pointing out that “archival neutrality” has historically contributed to the margilalization and the erasure of certain groups specifically marginalized groups. Winn calls for an effort to change archival practices and standards to be more inclusive.  

Highlighting the demographic norms of the archival profession often young, white-presenting and straight academic archivists are not always equipped to move beyond the status quo. Winn advocates for developing cultural competency and awareness in archivists. Calling for a fundemental change in the archival profession, aiming for a future where inclusive and community driven description is the norm. She stresses the need for changes in graduate education and standards to achieve this goal. Archivists must go past the current norms and engage in meaningful discussions with colleagues from different fields and backgrounds. 

An AI generated image of a Black man searching an old document
An AI generated image of a Black man searching an old document

Winn, Samantha. “The Hubris of Neutrality in Archives.” On Archivy (Medium), April 21, 2017. https://medium.com/on-archivy/the-hubris-of-neutrality-in-archives-8df6b523fe9f.

PV 19 march
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What is Shared Authority?

What is shared authority? How does it impact historical research, scholarship, and exhibition?


Shared authority in historical research involves the collaboration between professional historians and the public which includes the community and non-professionals. This pushes the production of historical knowledge by recognizing that everyone has valuable perspectives an experiences to contribute to public history. For example, in Andrew Hurley’s Scholars in the Asphalt Jungle “engineering students at Howard University mingled with homeless populations in Washington, DC and put their technical skills to use inventing an inflatable sleeping bag.” The work performed by students contributed to their community. The use of activism through understanding what people in their community lacked by focusing on real life experiences they were able to use their resources to assist those who need it most.  

 

In historical research, shared authority can lead to more inclusive and diverse narratives as it includes voices that are often marginalized or overlooked in traditional scholarship. It is important that professional historians build a strong and trusting relationship with people of diverse communities in order to receive more detailed and in-depth historical findings. “Within diverse neighborhoods, fear of opening or aggravating social wounds may migrate against serious historical investigation.” With all of the historical and present day hardships that urban residents face it is imperative that professional historians make communities feel at ease in order for them to have a richer, more nuanced understanding of history. 

 

A march for the PV 19 [Photograph by Frank Jackson, 1991]
A march for the PV 19 [Photograph by Frank Jackson, 1991]

For exhibitions, shared authority can transform the way museums and historical institutions engage with their audiences. By involving the community members in their processing, exhibitions can become more relevant and relatable to the public, leading to more community and engagement. 

Oral-History
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What Is Public History?

Public History is a field of history that involves engaging with the general public and making historical facts/knowledge accessible to their audience. Public History involves the practice of history in public settings, such as archives, historical sites, and community organizations. Public Historians work to present historical events/narratives in ways that can speak to a diverse audience.

Historians have a special way of looking at human interractions and has an intentional way of explaining/disecting them. A person may ask a question as to how or why people evolve overtime. In Public History: Its Origins, Nature, and Prospects Robert Kelley mentions public history being “eesemtial in every kind of immediate, practical situation” (Kelley 1978). it is not just random historical moments when people said or did something, it is historical events or entire movements that (can or) has changed a person’s way of life. In Public History, a historian will answer questions posed by other people. Serving as a consultant, a professional, or a member of the staff.

Oral-History

What Is An Effect of Public History?

 

The local effect of Public History can be the preserving and sharing of unique stories and experiences of a community in order to inform or even prevent an event from repeating itself. Public History can also bring cultural acceptance and wareness by helping people to further or better understand their heritage and their contributions within those diverse groups. Pereserving collective memories in way of oral history can engage society and encourage active participation and investments into keeping their collective history alive. For example Black History Month can be an effect of Public History as African Americans aim to make their history accesssible and relevant to the public. It was established to recognize and celebrate the contributions of African Americans to history, which consistantly stays overlooked or marginalized in mainstream historical narratives.

 
 
 
Kelley, Robert. 1978. “Public History: Its Origins, Nature, and Prospects.” Source 1, no. 1: 16–28. https://eclass.uowm.gr/modules/document/file.php/ELED278/Kelley%20public%20history%201978%20PH.pdf.